Objective: To investigate the protective effect of Buyanghuanwu Tang (BYHWT), a decoction with 6 herbal ingredients, on in vitro cultured rat cortical neurons against apoptosis induced by hypoxia, and study its effect on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and oxygen free radicals and Bcl-2 expression in the neurons during hypoxia.
Methods: Models of hypoxia-induced neuron apoptosis were established and treated with sera containing BYHWT. Stained by propidium iodide, the neurons underwent apoptosis analysis using flow cytometry, and the levels of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) and NO were measured with spectrophotometer, with Bcl-2 expression assayed by immunohistochemical method with flow cytometry.
Results: In BYHWT-treated neurons, apoptosis rates were significantly lower than those of the neurons subjected to hypoxia exclusively, and at the same time NO and MDA production was remarkably reduced. Bcl-2 expression, however, was up-regulated.
Conclusion: BYHWT can protect neurons from hypoxia-induced apoptosis, the mechanism of which may lie in the elimination of NO and oxygen free radicals produced during hypoxia and up-regulation of Bcl-2 expression.